When you get out of the service, there are a lot of things to adjust to and important things to think about like career, education, benefits, and more. But not all of it has to be so serious all the time- an important part of being a civilian is having some time to escape from the pressures of the real world and do something you truly enjoy. Here’s why you should start a hobby today.
Developing a hobby is important to leading a less stressful life and it can be really rewarding. A study by psychology professor, Marie Louise Caltabiano, says that taking on a hobby or leisure activity can relieve stress and can actually improve your health.
When trying to decide what would be a good hobby for you, sit down and think about what you enjoy. Ask yourself, if you could do anything all day and get paid for it, what would that thing be? What do you enjoy doing when you get any spare time? What did you enjoy doing before you joined the military? All these questions can give you an idea of a pastime that you would enjoy doing.
Another important factor to consider when choosing your activity is the cost of the activity and how much time it requires to maintain. You want to pick a hobby that can be walked away from and come back to at your own time to make it as less stressful as possible. You also do not want to choose something that is out of your budget since this can also cause stress, so these are probably out of the question.
The best way to get to know your hobby is to gain connections. Reach out to others, research and ask around to get a better understanding of your activity. Talking to others about something you both have interest in can make your hobby social as well and can be beneficial.
